Table construction



y 1939- P. 'ROSENBERG 2,166,195

TABLE CONSTRUCTION I Filed June 1'7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 ZQ' 4 7 A? A f it:

INVENTOR HlL/P ROSENB RG- ATTORNEY y 18, 1939- P. ROSENBERG 9 TABLE CONSTRUC T ION Filed June 17, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ILI'P ROSENBERG :AT TORNEY Patented July 18, 193% warren ATENT OFEHQE Universal Fixture Corporation,

New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application .liine 1'7, 1938, Serial No. 214,224

9 Claims.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in that type of work table shown in application Serial No. 174,324 riled by me and Emanuel lvlically November 13, 1937. Important objects oi the present invention are to provide an improved work table of the set-up and knockdown type; to provide for readily varying the length of the table to suit the needs or its service; and to provide such a table whose parts are designed for cooperation to hold them accurately positioned in the assembly.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a. side elevation of a portion of two sections or" a table top assembled end to end;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the two table sections arranged as shown in Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of. the end portions of the table sections disconnected and separated;

Fig. l is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a. View similar to Fig. 5 taken on the line t6 of Fig. 7, showing the table sections disconnected and separated;

Fig. 7 is a detail partial plan view of the ends of the two table sections separated as shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a. portion of the end of one table section;

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the T-shaped clamping bar; and

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of one of the connecting pieces which extend across the joint between the two table sections.

The table structure includes longitudinally topforming members 1 arranged in sets side by side and of the desired length. The sets are assembled end to end according to the required length of the table. In the present instance two sets A and B of said members, forming two table sections, are shown as arranged end to end, ,Each

member is formed from a single strip of stifi sheet metal bent along straight, parallel, longitudinal lines into channel form. The member has a flat body portion l vertically depending longitudinal side portions l and laterally opposed inturned flanges l at the lower edges of the side portions. The depth of the side portions is materially less than the width of the body portion, and the flanges I lie in a plane parallel to the body portion. The member forms a wide,

flat, inverted channel with said flanges at its lower edges. All of the members i are of the same cross-sectional shape and dimensions and of the same length. They are arranged parallel and run longitudinally of the table sections and lie edge to edge. across the set, with their flat upper surfaces flush. As shown each set or table section is covered by a stiff sheet 2 of fiber board or other suitable material secured to the flat upper surfaces of the members i of the set in any suitable manner. 10

Supporting beams are arranged transversely beneath the members i. Each beam is of channel form and made of a single strip of stiff sheet metal bent along straight parallel lines. The channel has a flat bottom portion and flat verti- 15 cal sides. All of. the beams are of the same shape and size so that they are interchangeable in the assembly. They are arranged with their channels inverted and their flat portions in opposition to the under faces of the flanges l of the mem- 20 bers i. One end beam, 3 is bolted in a position to project beyond the ends of the members of set A so that when the two sets are assembled end to end the beam will underlie the abutting ends of the two sets and provide support for 25 both. One end. beam, 3 is bolted in position. a short distance inward from the ends of the memhers I of set B so that said members I project a short distance beyond said cross-beam.

A series of clips 4 are spaced along each of 30 the beams 3 and 3 Each clip is formed from a single piece of stiff sheet metal. It has a fiatsubstantially rectangular body portion 4 with downwardly bent leg portions 4 at its opposite ends. At their lower ends the leg portions 4 are 35 bent inwardly and upwardly to form hook-like flanges Along its opposite edges the body portion 4 has margins bent inward to form hooklike flanges i in lateral opposition. The clip is shaped and proportioned to straddle the beam, 40 with the flat portion 4 of the clip bearing against the upper surface of the flat portion of the beam, the leg portions 4 bearing against the sides of the beam, and the clip flanges 4 receiving the lower edges of the beam flanges. The flanges i 45 are formed and arranged to receive the adjacent oppositely extending flanges of a pair of the members I which are in side-by-side abutting relation, as shown in Fig. l. The members I and the beam have sliding fits within the clip 50 and the latter is formed to make substantial engagement with said elements. The flanges 4 are of material length longitudinally of the beam and the flanges 4 are of material length longitudinally of the members I. 55

The clips 4 anchor all of the top-forming members together in series across the table top and also anchor them to the beams. Each clip has its body portion 4 directly beneath the abutting edges of a pair of the adjacent members I and interposed between the upper side of the beam and the under sides of the oppositely extending flanges I of said adjacent members.

The beams have bolt holes at their opposite ends, and the outermost top-forming members I have bolt holes in their flanges I The beam ends are bolted to the top-forming members I by bolts 6 extending through said holes in the beams and in the flanges I At the joint between sets A and B the outermost members of set A bear short connecting channel pieces I fitted for half their length within said members I and secured in any suitable manner, as by spotwelding for example. The projecting portions of said channel pieces are fitted within the opposed end portions of the outermost members I of set B. These channel pieces serve to reinforce the outermost members I at their joints and keep the two edges of the table sections in line. At the abutting ends of the table top sections the ends of the channel members I have their flat top portions braced by strips 8 of angle form.

When the table top sections are assembled end to end and the connecting pieces I of section A are fitted within the opposed end portions of the outermost members I of section B of the table top, the interfltted portions of the pieces 1 and the ends of the members I of set B are bolted to the end cross-bar 3 of section A by bolts 1". These bolts extend through the lower flanges of the pieces I and through the inturned flanges I c at the lower edge of the members I. The end cross-beams 3 and 3 of the two table sections lie close together and are bolted together by bolts 9. These bolts pass through holes in the adjacent depending flanges of the said beams and serve to draw the two sections of the table top together and to hold them against any tendency to separate longitudinally. When the two table sections are assembled end to end the flanges I of the members I of table section B slide in under the flanges 4 of the clips connected to the crossbar 3 These clips serve as guide means to line up the ends of the members I of the table section B with the ends of the members I which form the table section A.

The connecting pieces I carry on their outer faces a short spacing piece 7* against the vertical edges of which abut the ends of the side flanges or portions I of the outermost members I of the table sections. The outer surfaces of these spacing strips are flush with the outer surfaces of said side portions I b of the outermost members I to serve as a finishing strip.

The transverse ends of the fiber sheets 2 at the abutting ends of the table sections are cut out to form the thin flat end portions Ill and the transversely extending vertical shoulders I I. The ends of the fiber sheets 2 terminate flush with the vertical flanges 8 of the channel irons 8 and also terminate flush with the ends of the members I.

When the two sections are assembled there is a transverse slot or space between the adjacentedges of the top or cover sheets 2 and between the adjacent ends of the members I of the two sections of the width of the spacing pieces 1 In order to close this slot and to provide means for holding down the transverse edges of the cover sheets a T-shaped clamping bar I2 is provided. The laterally extending head portion I2 of this clamping bar overlies the reduced flat portions I0 of the cover sheets 2 and the upper surface of the head portion of the bar is flush with the upper surface of the said sheets. The longitudinal edges of the T-head fit closely against the shoulders II formed at the ends of the cover sheets. The body portion of the T- shaped connecting strip loosely fits the space between the ends of the members I and between the depending flanges 8 of the angle bars 8. Lag screws I3 extend downwardly from the body of the T-shaped clamping bar through apertures in the horizontal web or body portion of the beam 3 carried by section A of the table top. The clamping bar is held tightly in place by nuts screwed on the lower ends of the lag screws and against the under side of the horizontal web of the beam 3. The clamping bar is out out at its ends to form the overhanging end flanges I4 which extend out flush with the longitudinal edges of the cover sheets 2.

The table top structure is supported by legs I6. Each leg is of channel form and made of stiff sheet metal. The legs are snugly fitted at their upper ends within the respective channel beam. At their upper ends the legs are braced by metal strips I9 obliquely arranged and detachably secured at their upper and lower ends, as at 20 and H, to certain of the flanges I and to the legs respectively.

When assembling together the two table sections A and B the T-shaped clamping bar I2 is placed in position and bolted in place to complete the joint between the two table sections and to hold down the transverse edges of the cover sheets 2, and then the two sections of the table are drawn tightly together by screwing up the nuts on the bolts 9. This final screwing up of the nuts on bolts 9 draws the two cover sheets 2 tightly into engagement with the T-head of the clamping bar I2. After these nuts are finally tightened the upper surface of the T-shaped clamping bar is brought flush with the surfaces of the cover sheets by sand-papering, or other means, to give a perfectly smooth flush upper surface to the table top. The bolts I are then tightened to finally lock together the outermost members I of the two sets A and B.

The table sections may be readily disassembled by removing the connecting bolts 9; removing the nuts on the lag screws I3 to permit the clamping bar I2 to be removed, and then removing bolts I to free the telescoping portions of the connecting pieces I. The two sections of the table may then be separated.

What I claim is:

1. A table top structure comprising two table sections each section being formed of a set of straight parallel top-forming members of inverted channel form extending longitudinally of the table sections, beams beneath said top-forming members and disposed transversely thereof, securing means retaining said members and beams assembled, one of said beams being secured to the ends of the top-forming members of one table section and extending outwardly beyond said ends to underlie the ends of the top-forming members of the other table section when the two table sections are assembled end to end and one of said beams being secured to the other table section a short distance inwardly from the end of the topforming members of that section whereby when the table sections are assembled end to end said two end beams will lie close together and parallel,

spacing strips adapted to be engaged by the ends of the outermost top-forming members of the two table sections when assembled end to end to space the adjoining ends of all of the top-forming members from each other to form a transverse opening between said members extending across the table top, a cover sheet secured over the upper surfaces of the top-forming members of each table section said cover sheets terminating transversely at the ends of the top-forming sections, a T-shaped clamping bar fitting the space between the adjacent tranverse edges of the assembled table sections with the T-head thereof clamping the end portions of the cover sheets down to the upper surfaces of the top-forming members, clamping bolts extending downwardly from the body of said clamping bar and through apertures in the beam directly below, and clamping bolts connecting together the two end beams of the two table sections and drawing them toward each other.

2. A table topstructure comprising two table sections each section being formed of a set of straight parallel top-forming members, beams beneath said top-forming members and disposed transversely thereof, means retaining said members and beams assembled, one of said beams being secured to the ends of the top-forming members of one table section and one of said beams being secured to the other table section a short distance inwardly from the ends of the top-forming members of that section whereby when the table sections are assembled end to end said two end beams will lie close together and parallel,

- spacing strips adapted to be engaged by the ends of the outermost top-forming members of the two table sections when assembled end to end to space the adjoining ends of all of the top-forming members from each other to form a transverse opening between said members extending across the table top, a cover sheet secured over the upper surfaces of the top-forming members of each table section said cover sheets terminating transversely at the ends of the top-forming sections, a clamping bar fitting the space between the adjacent transverse edges of the assembled table sections and clamping the end portions of the said cover sheets down to the upper surfaces of the top-forming members, clamping bolts extending downwardly from the body of said clamping bar' and through apertures in the beam directly below, and clamping bolts connecting together the two end beams of the two table sections and drawing said sections toward each other.

3. A table top structure comprising two table sections, beams beneath said table sections and disposed transversely thereof, means retaining said table sections and beams assembled, one of said beams being secured tothe end of one table section and one of said beams being secured to the other table section a short distance inwardly from the end of that section whereby when the table sections are assembled end to end said two end beams will lies close together and parallel, spacing strips adapted to be engaged by the ends of the two table sections when assembled end to end to space the adjoining ends from each other to form a transverse opening between said table sections extending across the table top, a cover sheet secured over the upper surfaces of each table section said cover sheets terminating transversely at the ends of the sections, a clamping bar fitting the space between the adjacent transverse edges of the assembled table sections and clamping the end portions of the cover sheets down to the upper surfaces of the table sections, clamping bolts extending downwardly from the body of said clamping bar and connected to a cross-beam directly below, and clamping bolts connecting together the two end beams of the two table sections and drawing the sections toward each other.

4. A table top structure comprising two table sections, beams beneath said table sections and disposed transversely thereof, means retaining said table sections and beams assembled, one of said beams being secured to the end of one table section and one of said beams being secured to the other table section a short distance inwardly from the end of that section whereby when the table sections are assembled end to end said two end beams will lie close together and parallel, a cover sheet secured over the upper surfaces of each table section said cover sheets terminating transversely at the ends of the sections, the transverse adjoining edges of said cover sheets being cut out to form flat, narrow, thin portions extending transversely of the table top, a T-shaped clamping bar fitting the space between the adjacent transverse edges of the assembled table sections with the T-head thereof clamping the reduced end portions of the cover sheets down to the upper surfaces of the top-forming members, clamping bolts extending downwardly from the body of said clamping bar and through the apertures in the beam directly below, and clamping bolts connecting together the two end beams of the two table sections and drawing them toward each other to bring the edges of the cover sheets into close contact with the edges of the T-head of the clamping bar.

5. A table top structure comprising a pair of edgewise opposed flat metallic top sections in a common plane, spacing means holding said sections spaced apart to form a slot between their opposed edges, a supporting crossbeam beneath said top sections and underlying the margins of the opposed edges of said top sections, a nonmetallic cover sheet secured to the upper surface of each section and terminating substantially at said slot, said sheets having countersunk margins along opposite sides of the slot, a sheet-clamping and filling strip between the opposed edges of said sheets and top sections, of T-shape in cross section for most of its length to provide it with a flat top portion seated on said margins and flush with the upper surface of the sheets and with the opposite side edges of the sheets, and with a depending shank portion in the slot between the top sections, and releasable anchoring means between said shank portion of the bar and said beam to hold said top portion of the bar pressed downward against the countersunk sheet margms.

6. A table top structure comprising a pair of edgewise opposed fiat top sections in a common plane, spacing means holding said sections spaced apart to form a slot between their opposed edges, a supporting crossbeam beneath said top sections and underlying the margins of the opposed edges anchoring means between said shank portion of the bar and said beam to hold said top portion of the bar pressed downward against the countersunk sheet margins.

'7. A table top structure comprising a pair of edgewise opposed flat top sections in a common plane, spaced apart to form a slot between their opposed edges, a supporting crossbeam beneath said sections and underlying the margins of the opposed edges of both sections, a cover sheet secured to the upper surface of each section and terminating substantially at said slot, said sheets having countersunk margins along opposite sides of the slot, a sheet-clamping and filling bar seated I on said margins and flush with the upper surface of the sheets, and anchoring means spaced along said bar, extending downwardly through the slot and connected to said beam at points spaced along the beam to hold said top portion of the bar pressed downward against the countersunk sheet margins.

8. A table top structure comprising a pair of edgewise opposed fiat metallic top sections in a common plane and spaced apart to form a slot between their opposed edges, a non-metallic cover sheet secured to the upper surface of each section and terminating substantially at said slot,

said sheets having countersunk margins along opposite sides of the slot, a sheet-clamping and filling bar between the opposed edges of said sheets and top sections, of T-shape in cross section for most of its length to provide it with a fiat top portion seated on said margins and flush with the upper surface of the sheets, and with a depending shank portion in the slot between the top sections, and anchoring means spaced along the lower edge of said shank portion to hold said top portion of the bar pressed downward against the countersunk sheet margins,

9. A table top structure comprising a pair of edgewise opposed flat top sections in a common plane and with a slot between their opposed edges, a cover sheet secured to the upper surface of each section and terminating substantially at said slot, said sheets having countersunk margins along opposite sides of the slot, a sheet clamping and filling bar seated upon said countersunk seat margins at opposite sides of the slot and flush with the upper surface of the sheets, and anchoring means spaced along the under side of said bar and extending downward through said slot to hold the bar pressed downward upon said sheet margins.

PHILIP ROSENBERG. 

